Reconfigurable intelligent surface system capable of self-angular orientation

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system (1) for enabling reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (4) in wireless networks to angularly position themselves in horizontal and vertical axes depending on the base stations (3) to which they are associated / connected and the positions of the user electronic devices (2) for which they serve, and thereby continuously improve the quality of service in changing wireless network scenarios.

Description

[0001] RECONFIGURABLE INTELLIGENT SURFACE SYSTEM CAPABLE OF SELF-ANGULAR ORIENTATION

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a system for enabling reconfigurable intelligent surfaces in wireless networks to angularly position themselves in horizontal and vertical axes depending on the base stations to which they are associated / connected and the positions of the user electronic devices for which they serve, and thereby continuously improve the quality of service in changing wireless network scenarios.

[0004] Background of the Invention

[0005] Today, Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) represent a milestone for wireless communication technology due to their ability to manipulate the characteristics of incoming signals as well as the performance gains they provide. Despite its advantages, the primary concern associated with this innovative technology results from the multiplicative path loss which is particularly pronounced in scenarios where no direct line of sight is available. The incoming angle and radiation characteristics of the signal are critical to the efficiency of intelligent signal routing by RISs. This brings about a need to determine the viewing angles and positional characteristics of the RIS in the horizontal and vertical axes and to adapt them depending on the conditions of the communication environment. There are a series of studies to determine the optimal placement and orientation of RIS; however, the literature has a significant gap in the dynamic adaptability of the mechanical viewpoints of RIS after their optimal deployment in the network planning phase. In real-world applications, wireless communication performance can change unpredictably due to propagation environment and channel conditions that rarely remain constant. This also results in the inability of RIS viewpoints that were once considered optimal to provide superior performance gains in the new case.

[0006] Therefore, considering the studies and deficiencies included in the current technique, it is understood that there is a need for a system which enables the design of a RIS structure, that is fully or partially equipped with unit cells capable of continuously estimating the optimal orientation / rotation / tilt angles to reorient itself at regular intervals in order to maximise the efficiency of the reflected signal; the determination of the RIS position and orientation angles in both axes (azimuth in horizontal, elevation in vertical) by conventional methods before this dynamic alignment is activated; the measurements to be taken by mechanical, hydraulic, servo-mechanisms, or similar systems to be used in order to monitor the changing propagation environment and channel characteristics, respectively, to maximise the RIS surface to direct the incoming signal to the areas where the user equipment is located; and the performance of the tasks of identifying and applying the optimum angle values.

[0007] The Chinese patent document no. CN117837131, an application included in the state of the art, discloses techniques for parameter set adaptation in the presence of passive multiple-input multiple-output (p-MIMO). The said invention includes parameter set adaptation in passive multiple input multiple output (P-MIMO) communication. In one implementation, a UE (user equipment) can identify a delay spread of a communication channel associated with a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) deployment. The UE can further transmit a measurement report including the delay spread of the communication channel to a network entity. The UE can receive a signal, from the network entity, an indication associated with a cyclic prefix (CP) length. In another implementation, a network entity can receive a measurement report, from a UE, including the delay spread of a communication channel. The network entity can further identify a CP length associated with the RIS deployment in the communication channel. The network entity can transmit an indication associated with the CP length to the UE.

[0008] The Chinese patent document no. CN117750504, another application included in the state of the art, discloses an intelligent full-surface signal gain method under high-speed operation. In the said invention, an intelligent full-surface signal gain method suitable for a high-speed operation environment comprises the following steps: constructing an intelligent full-surface model used for confirming a reflection signal and a transmission signal of each unit in an intelligent full surface, and generating a reflection coefficient matrix and a transmission coefficient matrix; calculating a received signal of an in-vehicle receiving end according to a base station emission signal, by combining the transmission coefficient matrix and a channel; and calculating the signal-to-noise plus interference ratio together with the reflection signal; wherein the calculation module is used for calculating sum rate of in-vehicle receiving ends; constructing a target sensing model to sense the direction of the in-vehicle target receiver and performing beam gain; constructing a perception constraint condition by calculating the similarity level of a gain beam and an ideal beam; performing parameter optimization by taking the maximum sum rate as an objective function and using a perception constraint condition, and obtaining an optimal reflection coefficient matrix and an optimal transmission coefficient matrix; with this invention, it is possible to provide stable communication service by using the intelligent full surface, to carry out an accurate track target perception and integration of communication and perception is realized.

[0009] The United States patent document no. US2024107485, another application included in the state of the art, discloses operational adaptation for reconfigurable intelligent surface-aided positioning. The said invention discloses techniques for wireless communication and specifically reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS)- aided positioning. An exemplary method of wireless communication performed by a base station includes determining the capabilities of a RIS, determining configuration information for a positioning reference signal (wherein the configuration data is based at least partially on the capabilities of the RIS), and transmitting a positioning signal based on the configuration information in a direction of the RIS.

[0010] Summary of the Invention

[0011] An object of the present invention is to realize a system which is developed with the aim of enabling reconfigurable intelligent surfaces in wireless networks to angularly position themselves in horizontal and vertical axes depending on the base stations to which they are associated / connected and the positions of the user electronic devices for which they serve, and thereby continuously improve the quality of service in changing wireless network scenarios.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to realize a system which is developed with the aim of enabling the wireless communication technologies sub-field to directly contribute to the reconfigurable intelligent surfaces technology, that is a relatively more mature and prototyped / produced component of meta-surfaces, considered an important carrier under the beyond 5G (beyond 5G, B5G), 6G and beyond (6G, B6G) network technologies breakdown.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to realize a system which is developed with the aim of providing real-time configurations and precise adjustment of positioning, orientation, and tilt angle to maximise the signal routing efficiency of the RIS surface.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to realize a system which is developed with the aim of serving sub-technology areas such as self-organizing networks, integrated communications and sensing, and network planning / quality of service monitoring. Another object of the present invention is to realize a system which is developed with the aim of optimizing wireless communication performance through the dynamic self-alignment of the innovative RIS surface by always seeking the best orientation.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to realize a system which is developed with the aim of solving a unified optimization problem based on both the signal arrival direction depending on the location of the base station and the location data of the user devices involved in the wireless communication service with the RIS structure.

[0016] Another object of the present invention is to realize a system which is developed with the aim of evaluating RIS technology as a cost-effective and high- performance substitute for repeaters, relays and similar network equipment used in existing networks to meet user traffic in blind spots, especially outside the line- of-sight and / or signal coverage of macro- and micro-cellular access points.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is to realize a system which is developed with the aim of optimizing the configuration of network equipment in wireless communication networks to maximize the quality of service experienced by user devices and thereby contribute to network planning and optimization activities / services.

[0018] Another object of the present invention is to realize a system which is developed with the aim of significantly making use of the areas, such as wireless communication systems and intelligent and autonomous environments with this innovation, improving efficiency and resilience to environmental and channel factors that can degrade performance.

[0019] Another object of the present invention is to realize a system which is developed with the aim of optimizing signal routing capability and therefore communication service quality in wireless communication systems through innovative RIS; and continuously maximizing wireless communication performance as RIS intuitively senses the reflection efficiency of the incoming signal using mechanical, hydraulic and servo mechanisms and adjusts itself in real-time to achieve the highest reflection efficiency.

[0020] Another object of the present invention is to realize a system which is developed with the aim of increasing the capacity and improving reliability of wireless communications by minimizing signal losses and boosting reflection efficiency, especially in areas where no direct line of sight is available.

[0021] Another object of the present invention is to realize a system which is developed with the aim of enabling the design of a RIS structure, that is fully or partially equipped with unit cells capable of continuously estimating the optimal orientation / rotation / tilt angles to reorient itself at regular intervals in order to maximise the efficiency of the reflected signal; the determination of the RIS position and orientation angles in both axes (azimuth in horizontal, elevation in vertical) by conventional methods before this dynamic alignment is activated; the measurements to be taken by mechanical, hydraulic, servo-mechanisms, or similar systems to be used in order to monitor the changing propagation environment and channel characteristics, respectively, to maximise the RIS surface to direct the incoming signal to the areas where the user equipment is located; and the performance of the tasks of identifying and applying the optimum angle values.

[0022] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0023] “A Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface System Capable of Self-Angular Orientation” realized to fulfil the objectives of the present invention is shown in the figures attached, in which:

[0024] Figure 1 is a schematic view of the inventive system. Figure 2 is a schematic view of the orientation angle included in the inventive system.

[0025] Figure 3 is a schematic view of the tilt angle included in the inventive system.

[0026] Figure 4 is a schematic view of the rotation angle included in the inventive system.

[0027] The components illustrated in the figures are individually numbered, where the numbers refer to the following:

[0028] 1. System

[0029] 2. User Electronic Device

[0030] 3. Base Station

[0031] 4. Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface

[0032] 5. Unit Cell

[0033] 6. Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface Element

[0034] 7. Communication Module

[0035] 8. Controller

[0036] 9. Three- Axis Orientation Controller

[0037] A. Orientation Angle

[0038] B. Angular Tilt Angle

[0039] C. Rotation Angle

[0040] The inventive system (1) which is developed with the aim of enabling reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (4) in wireless networks to angularly position themselves in horizontal and vertical axes depending on the base stations (3) to which they are associated / connected and the positions of the user electronic devices (2) for which they serve, and thereby continuously improve the quality of service in changing wireless network scenarios comprises at least one user electronic device (2) which is configured to exchange data by using any remote communication protocol and to run at least one interface thereon, request communication services, access 3 GPP-compliant signal reception, decoding, and / or routed transmission; at least one base station (3) which is configured to broadcast, receive and transmit signals in a two-way mobile network and generate and to transmit 3 GPP-compliant signals for the delivery of communication services to user electronic devices (2); at least one reconfigurable intelligent surface (4) which is configured to be a panel comprising a plurality of individual reflective elements, each capable of modifying and reflecting an incoming signal, to represent a surface capable of phase configuration and optimization of the three-axis orientation angle, to allow wireless connectivity between the base station (3) and the user electronic device (2), and to be capable of changing its angular orientation to achieve a more efficient signal quality; at least one unit cell (5) which is configured to be radio frequency components that are installed on the surface of the reconfigurable intelligent surface (4) for the manipulation of the radio frequency of its surface and are systematically placed on the surface, usually at a distance of half the wavelength of the communication frequency; at least one reconfigurable intelligent surface element (6) which is configured to be unit cells containing radio frequency equipment such as radio frequency filters and integrator circuits and capable of measuring radio frequency signal strength, selected systematically or randomly from among the unit cells (5) and different from those that are not selected; and to improve the quality of end-to-end communication by reconfigurable intelligent surface (4) hardware using self-measured data received from the other ends of the network; at least one communication module (7) which is configured to be a radio frequency communication module that allows to receive control channel data transmitted from the base station (3) and used to optimize the traffic data to be routed to the user electronic device (2); at least one controller (8) which is configured to decide the phase configurations of the unit cell (5); to identify the optimal orientation (A), angular tilt (B), rotation (C) angles at which the reconfigurable intelligent surface (4) will be oriented; to determine the angle values that will optimize the communication quality of the reconfigurable intelligent surface (4); to transmit the determined angle values to the three-axis orientation controller (9); and to determine the optimum orientation angles by the embedded algorithm; at least one three-axis orientation controller (9) which is configured to orient the reconfigurable intelligent surface (4) through mechanical movements to the optimal orientation (A), angular tilt (B), rotation (C) angles determined by the controller (8).

[0041] The user electronic device (2) included in the inventive system (1) is configured to exchange data by using any remote communication protocol and to run at least one interface thereon. The user electronic device (2) is a device such as mobile phone. The user electronic device (2) is configured to request communication service from the base station (3). The user electronic device (2) is configured to access 3GPP (The 3rdGeneration Partnership Project) compliant signal reception, decoding and / or routed transmission of the base station (3) for the delivery of communication services in Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) assisted communication scenarios.

[0042] The base station (3) included in the inventive system (1) is configured to broadcast, receive and transmit signals in a two-way mobile network. The base station (3) is configured to generate and transmit 3 GPP-compliant signals for delivery of communication services to user electronic devices (2) in reconfigurable intelligent surface-assisted communication scenarios.

[0043] The reconfigurable intelligent surface (4) included in the inventive system (1) is configured to be a panel comprising a plurality of individual reflective elements, each capable of modifying and reflecting an incoming signal. The reconfigurable intelligent surface (4) included in the said invention is configured to represent a surface capable of the unit cell (5) phase configuration and optimization of the three-axis orientation angle. The reconfigurable intelligent surface (4) is configured to allow wireless connectivity between the base station (3) and the user electronic device (2), and to be capable of changing its angular orientation to achieve a more efficient signal quality.

[0044] The unit cell (5) included in the inventive system (1) is configured to be radio frequency components that are installed on the surface of the reconfigurable intelligent surface (4) for the manipulation of the radio frequency of its surface and are systematically placed on the surface, usually at a distance of half the wavelength of the communication frequency.

[0045] The reconfigurable intelligent surface element (6) included in the inventive system (1) is configured to be unit cells containing radio frequency equipment such as radio frequency filters and integrator circuits and capable of measuring radio frequency signal strength, selected systematically or randomly from among the unit cells (5) and different from those that are not selected. The reconfigurable intelligent surface element (6) is configured to improve the quality of end-to-end communication by reconfigurable intelligent surface (4) hardware using selfmeasured data received from the other ends of the network.

[0046] The communication module (7) included in the inventive system (1) is configured to be a radio frequency communication module that allows to receive the control channel data transmitted from the base station (3) and used to optimize the traffic data to be routed to the user electronic device (2).

[0047] The controller (8) included in the inventive system (1) is configured to decide the phase configurations of the unit cell (5); to identify the optimal orientation (A), angular tilt (B), rotation (C) angles (yaw, roll, pitch) at which the reconfigurable intelligent surface (4) will be oriented. The controller (8) is configured to determine the best phase configurations of the reconfigurable intelligent surface element (4) by optimizing the angle / po sition data of the user electronic devices (2) together with the control data from the base station (3) via the communication module (7) and the power data measured by the reconfigurable intelligent surface element (6) containing a power sensor; determine the angle values that will optimize the communication quality of the reconfigurable intelligent surface (4); to transmit the determined angle values to the three-axis orientation controller (9). The controller (8) is configured to determine the optimum orientation angles by the embedded algorithm; to maximize the quality metrics of the radio frequency signal transmitted by the reconfigurable intelligent surface (4) and to check whether the quality metrics referenced in the optimization approaches run by the algorithm have saturated. The controller (8) is configured to abort the algorithm if the growth of RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator), a power-based metric, drops below a predetermined threshold value depending on the iterative steps of the optimization. The controller (8) is configured to input the optimal orientation angles determined by the algorithm to the three-axis orientation controller (9) for use. The controller (8) is configured to wait for a predetermined time for the algorithm to run again, which in a static environment can be set to a longer time for energy efficiency, and in a dynamic environment can be set to a shorter time for energy efficiency, where it is possible to prevent it from running frequently; and to trigger the decision-making process once again to determine the orientation angles when the time is over.

[0048] The three-axis orientation controller (9) included in the inventive system (1) is configured to orient the reconfigurable intelligent surface (4) through mechanical movements to the optimal orientation (A), angular tilt (B), rotation (C) angles determined by the controller (8). The three-axis orientation controller is configured to achieve angle values that optimize the communication quality of the reconfigurable intelligent surface (4) via the controller (8); and thereby manipulate the radio frequency signal transmitted from the base station (3) to the reconfigurable intelligent surface (4) with the highest possible power gain when converting it into a radio frequency signal transmitted from the reconfigurable intelligent surface (4) towards the user electronic device (2).

[0049] Industrial Application of the Invention

[0050] In the inventive system (1), the controller (8) improves the signal quality between the base station (3) and the user electronic devices (2) in terms of data rate, signal strength and similar service quality metrics by using the location data of the user electronic devices (2) and radio frequency power values to be measured on reconfigurable intelligent surface elements (6) including power sensors, which makes reconfigurable intelligent surface-assisted wireless services, which are likely to be used in next-generation wireless communication technologies, more flexible and therefore more resilient to changes in the short- or long-term wireless communication scenario.

[0051] Within these basic concepts; it is possible to develop various embodiments of the inventive “A Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface System (1) Capable of Self- Angular Orientation”; the invention cannot be limited to examples disclosed herein and it is essentially according to claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A system (1) which is developed with the aim of enabling reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (4) in wireless networks to angularly position themselves in horizontal and vertical axes depending on the base stations (3) to which they are associated / connected and the positions of the user electronic devices (2) for which they serve, and thereby continuously improve the quality of service in changing wireless network scenarios; comprising at least one user electronic device (2) which is configured to exchange data by using any remote communication protocol and to run at least one interface thereon, request communication services, access 3 GPP-compliant signal reception, decoding, and / or routed transmission;- at least one base station (3) which is configured to broadcast, receive and transmit signals in a two-way mobile network and generate and to transmit 3 GPP-compliant signals for the delivery of communication services to user electronic devices (2); at least one reconfigurable intelligent surface (4) which is configured to be a panel comprising a plurality of individual reflective elements, each capable of modifying and reflecting an incoming signal, to represent a surface capable of phase configuration and optimization of the three-axis orientation angle, to allow wireless connectivity between the base station (3) and the user electronic device (2), and to be capable of changing its angular orientation to achieve a more efficient signal quality;- at least one unit cell (5) which is configured to be radio frequency components that are installed on the surface of the reconfigurable intelligent surface (4) for the manipulation of the radio frequency of its surface and are systematically placed on the surface, usuallyat a distance of half the wavelength of the communication frequency; at least one reconfigurable intelligent surface element (6) which is configured to be unit cells containing radio frequency equipment such as radio frequency filters and integrator circuits and capable of measuring radio frequency signal strength, selected systematically or randomly from among the unit cells (5) and different from those that are not selected; and to improve the quality of end-to-end communication by reconfigurable intelligent surface (4) hardware using self-measured data received from the other ends of the network; and characterized by at least one communication module (7) which is configured to be a radio frequency communication module that allows to receive control channel data transmitted from the base station (3) and used to optimize the traffic data to be routed to the user electronic device (2); at least one controller (8) which is configured to decide the phase configurations of the unit cell (5); to identify the optimal orientation (A), angular tilt (B), rotation (C) angles at which the reconfigurable intelligent surface (4) will be oriented; to determine the angle values that will optimize the communication quality of the reconfigurable intelligent surface (4); to transmit the determined angle values to the three-axis orientation controller (9); and to determine the optimum orientation angles by the embedded algorithm; at least one three-axis orientation controller (9) which is configured to orient the reconfigurable intelligent surface (4) through mechanical movements to the optimal orientation (A), angular tilt (B), rotation (C) angles determined by the controller (8).

2. A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the user electronic device (2) which is configured to exchange data by using any remote communication protocol and to run at least one interface thereon, and which is a device such as mobile phone.

3. A system (1) according to Claim 1 or 2; characterized by the user electronic device (2) which is configured to request communication service from the base station (3).

4. A system (1) according to Claim 3; characterized by the user electronic device (2) which is configured to access 3GPP compliant signal reception, decoding and / or routed transmission of the base station (3) for the delivery of communication services in reconfigurable intelligent surfaces-assisted communication scenarios.

5. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the base station (3) which is configured to broadcast, receive and transmit signals in a two-way mobile network.

6. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the base station (3) which is configured to generate and transmit 3 GPP- compliant signals for delivery of communication services to user electronic devices (2) in reconfigurable intelligent surface-assisted communication scenarios.

7. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the reconfigurable intelligent surface (4) which is configured to be a panel comprising a plurality of individual reflective elements, each capable of modifying and reflecting an incoming signal.

8. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the reconfigurable intelligent surface (4) which is configured to represent a surface capable of the unit cell (5) phase configuration and optimization of the three-axis orientation angle.

9. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the reconfigurable intelligent surface (4) which is configured to allow wireless connectivity between the base station (3) and the user electronic device (2), and to be capable of changing its angular orientation to achieve a more efficient signal quality.

10. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the unit cell (5) which is configured to be radio frequency components that are installed on the surface of the reconfigurable intelligent surface (4) for the manipulation of the radio frequency of its surface and are systematically placed on the surface, usually at a distance of half the wavelength of the communication frequency.

11. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the reconfigurable intelligent surface element (6) which is configured to be unit cells containing radio frequency equipment such as radio frequency filters and integrator circuits and capable of measuring radio frequency signal strength, selected systematically or randomly from among the unit cells (5) and different from those that are not selected.

12. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the reconfigurable intelligent surface element (6) which is configured to improve the quality of end-to-end communication by reconfigurable intelligent surface (4) hardware using self-measured data received from the other ends of the network.

13. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the communication module (7) which is configured to be a radio frequency communication module that allows to receive the control channel data transmitted from the base station (3) and used to optimize the traffic data to be routed to the user electronic device (2).

14. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the controller (8) which is configured to decide the phase configurations of the unit cell (5); to identify the optimal orientation (A), angular tilt (B), rotation (C) angles at which the reconfigurable intelligent surface (4) will be oriented.

15. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the controller (8) which is configured to determine the best phase configurations of the reconfigurable intelligent surface element (4) by optimizing the angle / position data of the user electronic devices (2) together with the control data from the base station (3) via the communication module (7) and the power data measured by the reconfigurable intelligent surface element (6) containing a power sensor; determine the angle values that will optimize the communication quality of the reconfigurable intelligent surface (4); to transmit the determined angle values to the three-axis orientation controller (9).

16. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the controller (8) which is configured to determine the optimum orientation angles by the embedded algorithm; to maximize the quality metrics of the radio frequency signal transmitted by the reconfigurable intelligent surface (4) and to check whether the quality metrics referenced in the optimization approaches run by the algorithm have saturated.

17. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the controller (8) which is configured to abort the algorithm if the growth of RSSI, a power-based metric, drops below a predetermined threshold value depending on the iterative steps of the optimization.

18. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the controller (8) which is configured to input the optimal orientation angles determined by the algorithm to the three-axis orientation controller (9) for use.

19. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the controller (8) which is configured to wait for a predetermined time for the algorithm to run again, which in a static environment can be set to a longer time for energy efficiency, and in a dynamic environment can be set to a shorter time for energy efficiency, where it is possible to prevent it from running frequently; and to trigger the decision-making process once again to determine the orientation angles when the time is over.

20. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the three-axis orientation controller (9) which is configured to orient the reconfigurable intelligent surface (4) through mechanical movements to the optimal orientation (A), angular tilt (B), rotation (C) angles determined by the controller (8).

21. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the three-axis orientation controller (9) which is configured to achieve angle values that optimize the communication quality of the reconfigurable intelligent surface (4) via the controller (8); and thereby manipulate the radio frequency signal transmitted from the base station (3) to the reconfigurable intelligent surface (4) with the highest possible power gain when converting it into a radio frequency signal transmittedfrom the reconfigurable intelligent surface (4) towards the user electronic device (2).

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